Golf: New US Amateur drama for Holy Cross' Steve Zychowski

Recent Holy Cross graduate Steve Zychowski is in the field for this week’s U.S. Amateur Championship at The Country Club in Brookline, and just like the last two times he qualified, there was drama involved.

Two years ago, when Zychowski became the first Holy Cross golfer in more than 35 years to qualify for the U.S. Amateur, he had to shoot 6 under in his second 18 holes to get in.

Last year, he endured five lightning delays and ultimately had to return to the course the next day to complete his final 12 holes.

This year, at the Links at Union Vale in Lagrangeville, N.Y., he was in the clubhouse at 3 under, in second place and fairly certain he had secured a spot in the U.S. Amateur for the third time in four years. But one group was still on the course and one of its players played his final nine holes in 4 under to leap past Zychowski and into one of the two qualifying spots.

Zychowski left the course that mid-July day as the first alternate and a little down.

But last week, he got a call from the USGA telling him a spot had opened up, and he was in.

“They said, ‘What are you doing August 12-18?’” Zychowski said, “and I went nuts. It was pretty cool.”

Zychowski, a Mendham, N.J., resident, graduated from Holy Cross in May with a degree in economics. Last season, he led the Crusaders in scoring average and earned medalist honors in two events. He earned a spot on the Academic All-Patriot League team.

In his first two tries at the U.S. Amateur, Zychowski failed to qualify for match play, so that’s his goal this week.

“I’m going in there to do work and move on and make the cut,” he said. “This year, my game feels really good.”

Stroke-play rounds will take place at The Country Club and nearby Charles River CC Monday and Tuesday. Six rounds of match play begin Wednesday at TCC. The 36-hole championship match is Sunday.

Zychowski said that during his qualifier last month, he hit the ball tee to green as well as he ever has. His putting wasn’t great, but he has been working with a local pro, and his stroke has improved over the last few weeks.

“I’ve learned over the last two (U.S. Amateur Championships) and I’m looking forward to this one,” Zychowski said.

Zychowski said he has spent a little time brushing up on TCC history and the 100-year anniversary of Francis Ouimet’s win at the 1913 U.S. Open.

Defending champion Steven Fox will try to become the first golfer to repeat as U.S. Amateur champion since Tiger Woods won three in a row from 1994-96.

Free USAm tickets available

A reminder that spectators 17 or younger may attend the U.S. Amateur free of charge when accompanied by a ticketed adult, who can request as many as three Junior Passes each day.

In addition, free tickets will be provided to active military personnel. Upon arrival at the main entrance, active military members can proceed to the ticket sales station and present military-issued credentials to receive their daily ticket.

Altomare, a Shrewsbury resident who graduated in May from the University of Virginia, has played in four events on the Symetra Tour — formerly known as the LPGA Futures Tour — and has earned enough money to go right to the second stage of Q school, which will be held Oct. 8-11 at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla.

The top 120 on the Symetra Tour money list are eligible for the second stage. Altomare currently ranks 50th. Her best finish was seventh at the Decatur-Forsyth Classic, which was her first Symetra Tour start. She said she plans to play in one more event this season.

Altomare was a four-time All-American at Virginia and the 2013 ACC Player of the Year.

Altomare was a great help to her friend, former Shrewsbury High teammate and fellow Cyprian Keyes GC member Brett Malboeuf, at last week’s Mass. Public Links Championship at Glen Ellen CC. Altomare caddied for Malboeuf, who came in third and was the top local finisher.

$241,000 raised for Ouimet at Stow

The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund’s 21st Golf Marathon, held last Wednesday at Stow Acres South Course, raised $241,000 and is believed to be the highest fundraising marathon in the U.S. this year. Since the event’s inception in 1993, it has raised $4.74 million for the scholarship fund.

Connor Burdick of Worcester CC recorded the most holes played this year with 210. Burdick is a junior at Muhlenburg College.

For the sixth straight year, Oyster Harbors was the top fundraising club. Assistant pro Chris Catena played 205 holes, and he and fundraiser Steve Demirjian dedicated their efforts to the late Rick Stimets, who oversaw the Oyster Harbors fundraising for many years. Stimets, a Worcester resident who summered in Osterville, passed away in March.

“This was one of the most perfect days ever for the marathon,” Ouimet Fund president Terry Kennedy said. “The conditions were ideal. The theme was ‘100 holes for 100 years’ to celebrate the Ouimet centennial and the players certainly honored Mr. Ouimet with their great efforts.”

Falcucci eager to coach Naps

Dan Falcucci, who played with Malboeuf in the final round of the Mass. Public Links Championship, will begin his second season as Holy Name High’s golf coach this fall.

“Hopefully, the kids don’t look at this score,” Falcucci said after shooting a final-round 77 and falling out of contention.

Falcucci, who grew up in Northboro and is now an Auburn resident, managed the custom-fitting center at Cyprian Keyes, also his home course, for four years before changing career paths a couple of years ago.

Falcucci is a math teacher at Burncoat High, and his coaching position allows him to expand his interest in working with kids.

“I enjoyed it a lot last year,” Falcucci said. “It’s a lot of fun getting out there with the kids, helping them out, passing along any advice to them I can.”

The Holy Name squad is young, but the Naps seem to have an up-and-comer in sophomore Anthony Vincequere. A member of the team since he was in seventh grade, Vincequere finished fifth in last year’s Division 2 state tournament.

Gale, Gagner qualify for Senior Am

Mary Gale of Worcester and Christine Gagner of North Oxford qualified for the U.S Senior Women’s Amateur.

In a sectional qualifier at the Golf Club at Turner Hill in Ipswich, both shot 80 to tie for fifth.

The U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur will be held Sept. 21-26 at Cordevalle GC in San Martin, Calif.

David Holmes of Sutton qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur, which will be played the same dates as the women’s event, at Wade Hampton GC in Cashiers, N.C.

Holmes shot 73 and tied for third in a qualifier at Segregansett CC.

Larry David a guest on ‘Feherty’

Monday night’s season finale of “Feherty” on Tthe Golf Channel should be an interesting and entertaining one.

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